On June 30th, 2022, GuilfordWorks celebrated the official opening of the NCWorks Emerging Workforce Career Center in Downtown Greensboro, welcoming the community to the new home of the NCWorks NextGen program. The new, centrally located facility allows for better collaboration between various community partners throughout Guilford County. And delivers youth activities and events focused on educational opportunities and career pathways.

“This Emerging Workforce Center marks the fifth standalone publicly-funded workforce system in North Carolina; however, we are the first and only to have one of these located in an urban center.” 

– Chris Rivera, Executive Director, GuilfordWorks.

Activities, including NextGen’s “Weekly Take-Off” orientation process, “Career Readiness” workshops, and monthly “Free-for-all Fridays” are abundant in the downtown location. And they’ve revived the “Man Cave” and “Ladies Night” mentoring sessions after suspending them during the pandemic.

During these events, young adults can engage not only with the NextGen team but also with peers pursuing their desired career pathways. Designed by Able & Co., in collaboration with NCWorks NextGen Ambassadors, the new space aims to engage and inspire young participants.

“The services that we provide have increased now being downtown because we have been able to tailor our services specifically to our 16 to 24-year-old adults in the NextGen program.” – Sabrina Breeden, NextGen Program Director.

The Emerging Workforce Career Center features a computer lab and an innovative open concept, allowing staff to assist with walk-ins and appointments more efficiently. The space is also equipped with a virtual reality space for our career-readiness VR initiative.

NCWorks NextGen in Guilford County helps young adults ages 16-24 maximize their potential, improve their skills, and connect to meaningful employment. The Emerging Workforce Career Center allows the NextGen team to meet the youth of Guilford County, where many of them are, and provide customer-focused services to benefit participants and improve the community’s economic development.